Near Elkmont in Limestone County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

Pettusville

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, August 2, 2020

1. Pettusville Marker

Inscription. Pettusville was named for Dr. Thomas Coleman Pettus (1816-1890) who came from Lunenburg Co., Virginia and purchased land that encompassed Bailes Hollow in the late 1840s. Dr. Pettus discovered seven "medicinal springs” deep in the hollow. The most famous was a chalybeate (iron rich) spring thought to restore the weary and cure a host of ailments. Coming to Pettusville to drink the water became so popular that the large home built of yellow poplar logs Pettus built for himself on a ridge above the
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spring was turned into a hotel to accommodate the visitors. The cool sweet-tasting water of the chalybeate spring brought crowds to the little community beginning in the 1850s. The town was incorporated and established one of the first schools in the county. It offered the services of several doctors. A Masonic Lodge, and post office were established there. After the war the hotel and spring were sold to numerous owners. In November of 1926 the old hotel building caught fire and burned to the ground.

Erected 2016 by Limestone County Historical Society; Elk River Development Agency; and Athens Limestone Tourism Council.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce

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• Science & Medicine • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1850.

Location. 34° 58.627′ N, 86° 56.43′ W. Marker is near Elkmont, Alabama, in Limestone County. Marker is on Pettusville Road (County Road 55) 0.2 miles north of Dunnavant Road, on the left when traveling north. Marker is on the grounds of Pettusville United Methodist Church. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 29035 Pettusville Road, Elkmont AL 35620, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Hernando De Soto in Alabama (approx. 3.2 miles away); Vietnam Veterans of America (approx. 3.2 miles away); Legacy (approx. 3.2 miles away); Alabama Korean War Memorial (approx. 3.2 miles away); Visitors Center (approx. 3.2 miles away); Alabama's Role (approx. 3.2 miles away); Saturn IB Launch Vehicle (approx. 3.2 miles away); Alabama Combat Infantrymen Monument (approx. 3.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Elkmont.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, August 2, 2020

2. Pettusville Marker

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, August 2, 2020

3. Pettusville Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on August 3, 2020. It was originally submitted on August 3, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 646 times since then and 77 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 3, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.